Network has committed to more than 10 hours of coverage
NBC Sports Group and the World Rowing Federation — FISA — have signed an exclusive U.S. media rights agreement for coverage of the 2017 World Rowing Championships, both parties announced on June 5.
NBC Sports Group will present more than 10 hours of the rowing event at Nathan Benderson Park beginning Thursday, Sept. 28, a news release says.
The World Rowing Championships, held at the end of the season, is the biggest and most important annual rowing event in the world each year, the release points out.
“The opportunity to stage our premier event … in the United States is a huge benefit for our sport as we see the ongoing growth of rowing in the nation,” said FISA President Jean-Christophe Rolland in the release.
“Rowing fans can cheer in unison now that we are presenting … our most extensive coverage since the 2016 Rio Olympics,” added Jim Bell, president of NBC Olympics production and programming, in the release. “As an Olympic sport since the 1900 Summer Games in Paris, [the competitions] showcase the stamina, strength and harmony that these world class athletes display every time they race.”
Headlining the U.S. team will be the women’s eight, which is looking to win its 12th-straight world or Olympic title, the release points out. “The Americans’ flagship boat has won every major event since 2006, most recently claiming Olympic gold last summer in Rio,” the release adds. The U.S. roster will be confirmed later this summer, the release notes.
The coverage also will include the para-rowing finals, the release says.
NBC Sports anticipates utilizing NBCSN, The Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and possibly other platforms to provide more comprehensive U.S. coverage of the numerous events included in the agreement than ever before,” the release notes. In addition to television, coverage will include simultaneous streams on desktops, mobile devices, tablets and connected TVs, it adds.